Blog 3

This afternoon some year 1 children were very proud of me because I fixed, with non-electric screwdrivers I have to say, a wooden ladder in their outdoor area. They seemed to be quite amazed that I could do such a task and I told them that I can also unblock toilets and drains, fell trees and shin up a drain pipe if necessary. They were all very supportive and wanted to help me even if it was just providing play food from their home corner. A certain young chap gave me a saucepan full of meatballs, a fried egg, 2 roast chickens, an onion, a hot dog sausage, a burger and a cookie. It really was delicious even though I eat very little meat or plastic.

I am not always very good at asking for or accepting help because I can do most things myself, and often could have done something in the time it takes to explain what needs doing. The trouble is that other people won’t get better at unblocking loos or fixing ladders if I always do it. I know I have the constitution of an ox and did woodwork at school but we only learn by doing. Fixing the ladder this afternoon I could have sent the children away and sorted it out in half the time but they wanted to help and there were things that they could do safely. One little person held the bag of screw drivers, another went to get me something to kneel on, one held the screws and one was the shop steward and told me what I should be doing! If your child offers to help you this weekend, let them and I know you will be amazed at the advice they can offer and the help they can give.

In our staff meeting this week we were reflecting, as we often do, on our curriculum and the role visible learning plays. In a nut shell we teach so that children learn. That is what it is all about isn’t it. Through visible learning we want children to be good learners who:

know what they are trying to learn and why they are learning it.

ask questions.

never give up if things get hard but keep on trying.

know what to do if they are stuck.

We want to build resilience and help children acquire the tools to solve problems no matter what they are. Achieving Happily Together isn’t just about maths and English but also about those moments when children can suddenly skip with a rope, tie a shoe lace, line up without always wanting to be first. Any achievement is celebrated and children should be proud. It is so important that children know what to do if things get a bit tough. As parents and teachers we will always be there to scoop them up but it is our duty to make sure that children develop their own skills to enable them to face adversity when they come face to face with it. Sadly not every problem can be solved for us and sometimes we have to work it out for ourselves. Hopefully we will have people around us who will help, but we do need to give things ‘a go’.

Even though I can go to the tip myself I am going to let Mr O do it because it will make him very happy and give me an hour or so of peace and quiet!